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Home Safety Tips Every Senior Should Know

Home Safety Tips Every Senior Should Know

The human body weakens over time—it’s a natural process. That’s why senior citizens (65+) can’t often do things they could when they were younger. Physical activity becomes harder, new situations become hazardous, and it’s easy for strangers to take advantage of older individuals as they’re an easy target. These basic home safety tips every senior citizen should know can help senior citizens and their loved ones feel more confident about their safety.

Keep Emergency Numbers Within Reach

This is one of the most important aspects of home safety. Keeping emergency numbers within reach, like near a telephone, will ensure you have access to the proper services in case of any emergency. You should have numbers for your local fire department, police department, doctor’s office, poison control, family members, relatives, and your neighbors. This will reduce your waiting times for emergency vehicles since you can call them immediately.

Use a Medical Alert System

In case you are in an emergency, it’s a good idea to use a medical alert system. These are life-saving devices where users can press a button if they fall and become hurt. This will send a signal to alert first-responders who will come to your rescue. A dispatching team can monitor your home-based system at all hours, or you can program your device to dial friends or relatives.

Make the House Fall-Proof

Another important safety tip to keep in mind is to make your home fall and accident-proof. Reduce the risk of needing emergency services with these easy tricks. First, install working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and change frayed electrical cords to reduce fire risks. Also, know where your first-aid kit is in case you get a cut or small scrape. Further, decrease the risk of falling by wearing non-slip footwear, ensure rooms have enough light, and rails and banisters are within arm’s reach. It would also help to keep hallways and stairs clear of any miscellaneous items that pose a safety hazard.

Own a Self-Defense Object

Unfortunately, there are some bad people in the world and incidents can happen. Aside from locking your doors and windows, it’s a good idea to keep a self-defense object just in case. Depending on your physical condition, this could anything from a baseball bat to a can of mace. You can also invest in a self-defense walking cane as a discrete tool against wrongdoers.

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